Meet Malaika. She is 15 years old and has been taking performing arts classes at Cathy-Lea Studios for 10 years.
Malaika loves to sing and takes private singing lessons in Cathy-Lea’s music school.
Her favourite dance styles are hip hop and jazz. She won the Open Hip Hop solo section at the Southern Dance Festival and Southern Federation of Dance Competition in 2022.
She was also a finalist in ATOD Australasian Jazz Scholarships.
Malaika is studying Advanced 1 Cecchetti Classical Ballet, having competed her intermediate exam with honours.
She gained 100 per cent in Elementary Jazz and honours in Intermediate Tap (ATOD) in 2022.
She also takes classes in contemporary, lyrical, commercial jazz, conditioning and acrobatics, trains in the academy’s Elite Training Program.
One of her favourite experiences in 2022 was the Cathy-Lea Queensland dance trip, which included dancing in the Dreamworld parade and taking classes at Dance Force Studios in Tweed Heads.
When asked what she liked about training at Cathy-Lea Studios, Malaika said: “I always feel welcome. It’s like my second (very diverse) family and home. Our teachers are always teaching us new things and providing us with many opportunities.”
“There’s never a dull moment in class. Everyone is always laughing and learning, which makes you really want to go to dance, be proud of your studio and strive to achieve your goals.”
Cathy-Lea Studios has been training children of all abilities in performing arts since 1991 and offers classes for children from 18 months through to adults.
Programs offered include the award-winning Ready Set Dance program, Cecchetti International Ballet, ATOD jazz and tap, drama and musical Theatre, instrumental music, pre-profesisonal training, VCE dance and VET dance.
The studio also runs a talent agency to connect students to professional performance opportunities.
Find out how you can dance with Malaika at Cathy-Lea Studios in 2023.
Visit cathy-lea.com to enrol, make an enquiry or register for a free trial class.
